Chief Conservator

The Eric and Jane Nord Chief Conservator of The Cleveland Museum of Art has primary responsibility for the conservation of objects in the Museum’s collection and for overseeing all aspects of a major conservation program that comprises a range of related activities: the treatment of objects, technical analysis, scientific research, collaborative work with other institutions, and the training of conservators

As a member of the senior staff within the organization, the Chief Conservator oversees the operations of five labs that focus on Asian Paintings, Objects, Paper, and Textiles. The Chief Conservator supervises a staff of eight conservators, five conservation technicians, and a fluctuating number of fellows and interns. In recent  years, The June and Simon K.C. Li Center for Chinese Paintings Conservation has become a model in the United States, bringing a senior conservator from China for six months each  year to mentor the Cleveland Museum of Art's conservators in sophisticated techniques, enabling the museum to become a leader in the preservation of Chinese paintings. The Museum looks forward to continuing and expanding the work of the June and Simon K.C. Li Center for Chinese Paintings Conservation.

Another important aspect of the work of the Conservation Department is its role in the joint program in Art History with Case Western Reserve University. Members of the conservation department co-teach undergraduate and graduate courses related to preservation and materiality in the Museum Studies and PhD programs. The Chief Conservator coordinates with staff from both institutions to focus on an objects-based teaching experience.

The Chief Conservator is responsible for participating in institutional planning in accordance with the museum's Strategic Plan, setting and maintaining effective policies with respect to the care and treatment of the collection and loans, as well as the operation of the museum's facilities, the development of special initiatives, representing the institution to a broad range of external constituencies, and upholding high ethical and professional standards in fulfillment of the mission of the Museum.

The Eric and Jane Nord Chief Conservator reports to the Deputy Director and Chief Curator.

Requirements for the position are as follows:

B.A. from a four-year college or university with major in Chemistry, Art History, or a related major course of study.
M.A. from an accredited conservation training program or equivalent training
Ten years of direct, hands -on experience encompassing all aspects of conservation, preferably in a museum setting
Strong leadership, conceptual, and written and oral communication skills
Demonstrated ability to supervise and work successfully with others, including museum staff, volunteers, students, donors, and diverse public constituencies in a large art museum
Proven ability to attend to a variety of tasks concurrently in a complex environment
The Museum is particularly seeking an experienced conservator with a record of excellence in management and administration and who excels in teamwork. The individual’s expertise may be in any area of specialization.

Applications, including a cover letter that addresses the candidate’s interest in the position and the relevance of their experience to the museum’s collection, a curriculum vita, writing sample, and the names and contact information for three references should be submitted by May 1, 2019. The Museum is seeking candidates who are available to begin during the summer or early autumn of 2019.